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Why Firefox is not using is own MLS (Mozilla Location Service) but Google's one?

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 61 views
  • Last reply by tisnoopy

tisnoopy
tisnoopy
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Mozilla owns MLS (Mozilla Location Service), but Firefox is using (by default) GLS (Google Location Service). Why to contribute to GLS instead of your own service MLS ???

Argument "for a better user experience" won't help MLS to grow up for sure.

Second question : If on Android i'm using Firefox, maybe using "Mozilla Stumbler" is redundant ? Firefox is doing the same in background perhaps ?

Mozilla owns MLS (Mozilla Location Service), but Firefox is using (by default) GLS (Google Location Service). Why to contribute to GLS instead of your own service MLS ??? Argument "for a better user experience" won't help MLS to grow up for sure. Second question : If on Android i'm using Firefox, maybe using "Mozilla Stumbler" is redundant ? Firefox is doing the same in background perhaps ?

Chosen solution

an interesting topic !

So I found an answer to my first question : It seems there is a contract between Mozilla and Google, that's why Mozilla is using GLS instead of MLS.

And an answer for my second : it's useless to use "Mozilla Stumbler" if you are using Android Firefox, you just have to go in advanced settings > collected data > check-in "Mozilla location services" if you wanna help Mozilla to feed this database.

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All Replies (3)

philipp
philipp
  • Moderator
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hi, though i'm not able to answer your question, firefox 65 will change in that it's relying on the operating system's apis instead of google's location service for html5 geolocation: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1512161

tisnoopy
tisnoopy Question owner
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Ok that's about Windows and Mac versions But what about Android Version? Firefox will still rely on GLS

Nowadays, location service is central for most applications, so I don't understand this choice.

I would like to help by using "Mozilla Stumbler", but If even Firefox is not using its own solution MLS for what to waste my efforts?

edit : I found out that it's possible to change localisation API in Firefox settings about:config --> geo.wifi.uri --> https://location.services.mozilla.com/v1/geolocate?key=%MOZILLA_API_KEY%

But by default, why to feed GLS instead of MLS ? That's mad.. and sad.

tisnoopy
tisnoopy Question owner
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Chosen Solution

an interesting topic !

So I found an answer to my first question : It seems there is a contract between Mozilla and Google, that's why Mozilla is using GLS instead of MLS.

And an answer for my second : it's useless to use "Mozilla Stumbler" if you are using Android Firefox, you just have to go in advanced settings > collected data > check-in "Mozilla location services" if you wanna help Mozilla to feed this database.